Ukraine has fulfilled its gas storage plan ahead of the heating season
Ukraine has accumulated 14.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas in underground storage facilities, thereby fulfilling the plan envisaged by the base scenario for the 2026/2027 heating season. The target was reached about a month ahead of schedule.
This was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy Denis Shmyhal. According to him, the country is already prepared for the upcoming autumn-winter period in terms of gas reserves, but work on other areas of energy preparation continues.
"In terms of gas reserves, we are ready for the autumn-winter period of 2026/2027," – stated the head of the Ministry of Energy.
He noted the contribution of Ukrainian gas production companies, Naftogaz, the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine and other enterprises of the fuel and energy complex.
Reserves increased by 300 million cubic meters in a week
As recently as August 21, Shmyhal reported that Ukrainian storage facilities contained 14.3 billion cubic meters of gas, and the accumulation of the resource was ahead of schedule. Thus, over the last week the volume of reserves increased by about 300 million cubic meters.
The head of the Ministry of Energy also stated then that gas reserves together with planned supplies are sufficient to pass the heating season according to the base scenario. At the same time, coal reserves at power plants, according to the government, exceeded planned indicators.
The government has set two benchmarks for gas reserves
The forecast balance of natural gas receipt and distribution for 2026/2027 was approved in April. The base scenario provides for 14.6 billion cubic meters of gas in underground storage facilities at the beginning of the heating season – this is the level Ukraine has now reached ahead of schedule.
At the same time, the government has determined a critically necessary minimum – 13.2 billion cubic meters. The Ministry of Energy explained that this volume was formed taking into account the experience of previous heating seasons and should allow passing the winter even at low temperatures and massive Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Thus, the current volume of reserves exceeds the critical minimum set by the government by 1.4 billion cubic meters.
Gas imports remain part of winter preparation
Reaching the target level in storage facilities does not mean ceasing purchases and injection of gas. Even when approving the forecast balance, the Ministry of Energy named among key tasks the timely contracting of import supplies, purchase and injection of the resource during periods of favorable market prices, as well as diversification of import routes.
Naftogaz and the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine are also working on available capacities for gas imports and development of supply routes from the European direction.
The need for imports remains significant due to Russian attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure. In early August, Shmyhal reported that the additional need of Naftogaz Group for financing purchases of imported gas amounts to about 400 million euros. To attract these funds, Ukraine is negotiating with international partners.
Naftogaz itself reported that from the beginning of 2026 alone, its facilities were subjected to 287 Russian attacks by August 7. The company continues to restore damaged infrastructure, maintain production and at the same time seek grant financing for additional gas purchases and reserve equipment.
Therefore, the volume of 14.6 billion cubic meters is an indicator of readiness precisely within the framework of the base scenario. The government previously warned that the forecast balance may be adjusted depending on the security situation, intensity of attacks on energy facilities, winter temperatures and the state of domestic gas production.
Sources: Denis Shmyhal, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, Naftogaz of Ukraine
